England overcame Germany, the most successful side in the Women’s European Championship, 2-1 on Sunday to win its maiden title.
The Queen led the praise, telling them in a statement ‘You have all set an example that will be an inspiration for girls and women today, and for future generations’.
It had been a tense 90 minutes with flying tackles and yellow cards peppering a highly-energetic match, watched by Prince William in the crowd.
But the introduction of Ella Toone looked to have settled it after she broke to fizz a shot past helpless German keeper Merle Frohms watched by a record 87,192 in the stadium.
But there was heartbreak minutes later as Magull worked her way into position to equalise, devastating England fans across the country.
With only ten minutes left, the game was left balancing on a knife edge with the ultimate prize at stake.
The stalemate could not be broken, going into another agonising 30 more minutes of extra time which at first had produced nothing more.
But Kelly was not about to let the game go to penalties and picked the biggest stage in the world to produce her first ever international goal.
She dominated German keeper Frohms to propel England to a 2-1 lead and set the game beyond any doubt.
Tonight in a statement The Queen said the women would go down in history and be icons of sport.
She said: ‘My warmest congratulations, and those of my family, go to you all on winning the European Women’s Football Championships.
‘It is a significant achievement for the entire team, including your support staff.
‘The Championships and your performance in them have rightly won praise.
‘However, your success goes far beyond the trophy you have so deservedly earned.
‘You have all set an example that will be an inspiration for girls and women today, and for future generations.
‘It is my hope that you will be as proud of the impact you have had on your sport as you are of the result today.’
